Espanyol captain Jarque passes away

Espanyol club captain Daniel Jarque has passed away at the age of 26, the club confirmed this evening.

The Spaniard joined the club when he was 12, and was the handed the captaincy this summer. Club medics attempted to revive the player, but without success.

“Tragedy struck Espanyol and the family of Dani Jarque this evening. The player died from a cardiac arrest, the doctor carried out CPR on the player and used a defibrillator, which showed that the arrest was non responsive.

“RCD Espanyol, broken with pain, wish to put themselves at the absolute disposition of the family of our captain Dani Jarque, to whom go our warmest thoughts.”

The club have cancelled their pre-season preparations in Italy and will fly back to Barcelona tomorrow. They have also confirmed the cancellation of their friendly against Bologna tomorrow.

The president of local neighbours Barcelona, Joan Laporta, has sent his condolences

“We are filled with extreme dismay at this tragic event which we deeply regret, today we are all in mourning.”

“I want to send, on behalf of FC Barcelona, our deepest sympathies to RCD Espanyol for the painful loss of their captain Dani Jarque, and to his family.”